Parainfluenza
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Call 911 or an ambulance if your child:
Struggles to take each breath
▪ Grunts with each breath
Is unable to speak or cry
▪ Has blue or white lips or nails
Call your child’s regular doctor
NOW (night or day) if your child:
Looks or acts very sick
Is limp or very weak
Cries uncontrollably for more than an hour
Has difficulty breathing that does not get better after cleaning out
the nose
Has a temperature over 104˚ F (40˚C) or feels very hot at any age
Is less than 3 months old, has a temperature over 100.3˚F (38˚C)
Has no urine in 12 hours at any age
Is an infant and has no wet diapers in 8 hours
Is crying without tears
Is dizzy
Seems more sleepy than usual
Has a dry mouth or cracked lips
Has a sunken soft spot on top of head (for infants less than a year)
Call your child’s regular
doctor if your child:
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Has a temperature
greater than 100˚F
(37.8˚C) for more
than 48 hours
Is throwing up
(vomiting) a lot
Parainfluenza is a virus that causes respiratory infections. It is a major cause of croup, an
infection of the voice box and windpipe. It can also cause respiratory problems in the lower airways, such as
bronchiolitis or pneumonia. It is not the “flu”. Parainfluenza is most common in the fall and winter, but can
be seen any time of the year. It is usually a mild illness that can last a few days to several weeks.
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The best treatment is rest and fluids.
o Antibiotics do not help since parainfluenza is a virus.
o Sometimes respiratory treatments with bronchodilator
medicines are used if your child is wheezing.
o Your child may need oxygen if he or she is having
trouble breathing.
No specific vaccine for parainfluenza is available.
Signs and Symptoms
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Runny nose/congestion
Cough
Fever
Sore throat
Shortness of breath
Wheezing
This handout is for your general information only. The lists above are guidelines and do not include all symptoms.
This document is not a substitute for your child being seen by a doctor. Always call your child’s doctor if you have
any questions or problems. If your child’s condition gets worse, call your child’s doctor or go to the emergency department.
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St. Louis Children’s Hospital
One Children’s Place
St. Louis MO 63110
R5544 09-2014
Parainfluenza
How is it spread?
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Contact with another person’s mucous or respiratory secretions.
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If your child is in the hospital, caregivers will wear gowns and gloves when they come into your child's
room. This is so they do not get infected or spread it to others. Masks are not always needed, but may
be worn if your child is coughing or sneezing a lot. Your child will not be allowed to leave his/her room.
What you can do to help:
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Try to keep your child away from people with a cold. Wash your hands and your child's hands often to
prevent spreading infections.
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Do not share cups, glasses or other eating utensils.
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Offer your child fluids often. Try giving Popsicles or frozen fruit pops to older children to encourage
fluids.
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Infants should continue to drink breast milk or formula. Feed your baby more often if he is not taking
as much as he usually does. Some babies need to feed every 1 to 2 hours.
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A smoke free environment is best for children. Smoke will make your child's coughing or breathing
worse.
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Your child may return to school or daycare:
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When they are fever free for 24hrs without taking fever-reducing medicines such as
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®) or Ibuprofen (Motrin®/Advil®).
When they do not have lots of respiratory secretions.
Help prevent the spread of the virus:
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Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or the bend of your elbow
when you sneeze or cough. Teach your child to do the same. Even
very young children can be taught to do this.
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Throw tissues away immediately after use.
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Wash your hands frequently or apply a waterless hand cleaner if your
hands are not visibly dirty.
For General Health Information:
Call or visit the Family Resource Center (a free health information library) located on the 3rd floor of St. Louis Children’s
Hospital. Call 314.454.2350. Email at [email protected]
This handout is for your general information only. The lists above are guidelines and do not include all symptoms.
This document is not a substitute for your child being seen by a doctor. Always call your child’s doctor if you have
any questions or problems. If your child’s condition gets worse, call your child’s doctor or go to the emergency department.
2 of 2
St. Louis Children’s Hospital
One Children’s Place
St. Louis MO 63110
R5544 09-2014